{
  "id": "z-18",
  "name": "Z-18 (White Heron)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Medium transport helicopter",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 2018,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The Changhe Z-18 is a medium transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) to replace the Z-8. The Z-18 is the largest military helicopter ever developed in China.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Avicopter (Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation)",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 2,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 23,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 7,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 9800,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Empty weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "3 x WZ-6C",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "3 x 1 752 shp",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_kmh",
      "v": 336,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 9000,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_km",
      "v": 900,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Ferry range",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1 600 km",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Sensors note",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "The helicopter is fitted with a nose-mounted weather radar and FLIR/TV turret.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Z-18A",
      "text": "Z-18A is an utility variant for the Chinese army. The army version has a further protruding nose section. A terrain-following radar is fitted under the nose. It is expected to replace the old Z-8A.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-18",
      "text": "Based on the Avicopter AC313 design, it features a modified lowered fuselage and an improved WZ-6C turboshaft. A nose-mounted weather radar as well as FLIR and TV turrets were installed. Additional communication and navigation antennae are also added.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-8G",
      "text": "Army version with an extended nose housing a terrain following radar and EO turret.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-18F",
      "text": "Anti-submarine version with surface radar, dipping sonar, hardpoints intended for torpedoes/missiles, and sonobuoys.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-18J",
      "text": "AEW variant with a multimode active electronically scanned array radar from the 38th Institute.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-18"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "helicopter",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/z-18.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-z-18": {
      "title": "Z-18 (White Heron) Chinese Medium Transport Helicopter",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Z-18_White_Heron_Chinese_Medium_Transport_Helicopter",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}